Virtual environment tactile system
Abstract
A method for providing a realistic sense of touch in virtual reality by means of programmable actuator assemblies is disclosed. Each tactile actuator assembly consists of a number of individual actuators whose movement is controlled by a computer and associated drive electronics. When an actuator is energized, the rare earth magnet and the associated contactor, incorporated within the actuator, are set in motion by the opposing electromagnetic field of a surrounding coil. The magnet pushes the contactor forward to contact the skin resulting in the sensation of touch. When the electromagnetic field is turned off, the rare earth magnet and the contactor return to their neutral positions due to the magnetic equilibrium caused by the interaction with the ferrous outer sleeve. The small size and flexible nature of the actuator assemblies permit incorporation into a glove, boot or body suit. The actuator has additional applications, such as, for example, as an accelerometer, an actuator for precisely controlled actuations or to simulate the sensation of braille letters. 28 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 415725
- Patent Number(s):
- 5583478
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-397,291
- Assignee:
- SNL; SCA: 420203; PA: EDB-97:015785; SN: 97001714609
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 10 Dec 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; MANIPULATORS; ACTUATORS; DESIGN; OPERATION; NERVES; REFLEXES; SENSE ORGANS; MAGNETS; SIZE; REMOTE HANDLING; COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
Citation Formats
Renzi, R. Virtual environment tactile system. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Renzi, R. Virtual environment tactile system. United States.
Renzi, R. Tue .
"Virtual environment tactile system". United States.
@article{osti_415725,
title = {Virtual environment tactile system},
author = {Renzi, R},
abstractNote = {A method for providing a realistic sense of touch in virtual reality by means of programmable actuator assemblies is disclosed. Each tactile actuator assembly consists of a number of individual actuators whose movement is controlled by a computer and associated drive electronics. When an actuator is energized, the rare earth magnet and the associated contactor, incorporated within the actuator, are set in motion by the opposing electromagnetic field of a surrounding coil. The magnet pushes the contactor forward to contact the skin resulting in the sensation of touch. When the electromagnetic field is turned off, the rare earth magnet and the contactor return to their neutral positions due to the magnetic equilibrium caused by the interaction with the ferrous outer sleeve. The small size and flexible nature of the actuator assemblies permit incorporation into a glove, boot or body suit. The actuator has additional applications, such as, for example, as an accelerometer, an actuator for precisely controlled actuations or to simulate the sensation of braille letters. 28 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 10 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Tue Dec 10 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}